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Welcome to A Level English Language!
Welcome to A Level English Language!
English Language at A Level is an exciting and varied course with something for everyone!
Across the two years you will explore a range of language areas; from linguistic analysis, to creative writing, to sociolinguistic theory.
Scroll below and click into the tabs above (top left) to discover some of the different topics you'll be engaging in, hear some of our students talk about their experiences, and find out where studying A Level English Language at QE can take you in the future!
Also follow us on Twitter (@QESFC_English) and on Instagram (@qe_english).
We hope to see you in September!
We hope to see you in September!
Watch two of Paul's Youtube videos introducing English Language A Level!
English Language A Level teachers
English Language A Level teachers
Paul Heselton
Steph Sams
Meirion Baker
English Language A Level Assessment
English Language A Level Assessment
80% of the assessment is through exams taken at the end of the two-year course.
20% is through NEAs (coursework)
Exam Paper 1 : Language, the Individual and Society (two and a half hours)
Section A : Variations and Representations.. Students analyse and compare the language of two unseen texts from different modes (speech, writing, blended-mode) and different times (current and older).
Section B : Children's Language Development. Students write a single essay response to a question about either children's speech or children's writing drawing upon CLD concepts and the data provided.
Exam Paper 2 : Language Diversity and Change (two and a half hours)
Section A : Diversity and Change. Students write an essay about either language diversity or language change drawing upon conceptual and theoretical knowledge.
Section B : Language Discourses. Students analyse and compare the language usage in two articles, then write an opnion article on the same topic drawing upon linguistic concepts and theory.
NEA : Language in Action
The NEA is divided into two sections each worth 10%.
a.Original Writing. Students produce a 750-word opinion article or short story accompanied by a 750-word commentary which analyses the language of the student's submission compared to an independently-chosen style model.
b.Language Investigation. A 2,000 word project on an aspect of language chosen by the student. Students collect their own data, create a question and methodology, then write an analysis drawing upon independently-researched linguistic theory.
What GCSEs do you need to study English Language?
What GCSEs do you need to study English Language?
You need to have achieved at least a GCSE level 4 in either English Language or English Literature.
To progress onto a 3-A Level programme of study at QE, you are required to have achieved at least five GCSE Level 4 passes.
Why study English Language A Level?
Why study English Language A Level?
Deepens skills that you have developed in English at GCSE level.
Provides you with great variety - analysing written texts, writing pieces of journalism, evaluating conflicting arguments, constructing language reports, writing narrative fiction.
Develops your communication skills to an advanced level verbally and in written form
Excellent preparation for any careers which rely upon precise language skills eg. teaching, journalism, marketing, law.
An enjoyable experience encouraging you to pay close attention to how language is used all around you - in everyday conversation, public situations, on social media and by different groups across the country - and the world.
Studying English Language A level
Studying English Language A level
Libby and Maruna talk about English Language A Level
Studying English Language A Level
Studying English Language A Level
Jack talks about English Language A level
What have our students said about studying English Language A Level?
What have our students said about studying English Language A Level?
Niamh : "I loved English Language A Level as it is so different to GCSE - with topics such as language diversity/change and children's language development being really interesting which definitely makes it easier to learn. Having Steph as a teacher over the last two years has been brilliant as she really makes everything so engaging and easy to remember, and is always there to talk to if you have an issue, English related or not.
Adam : "My time at QE is one I look back on fondly with great memories and amazing English teachers who were supportive and patient in helping me achieve an A and B in their subjects. Whether it was the extra lessons or resources on the run up to exams, the hours of extra time they put into marking additional work or simply being a joy to be in a lesson with."
Helen : "Taking English Language A Level was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! English Language helped not only with my other A-levels, but later on, with my degree. I have just finished my BA in English at King’s College London and am about to begin an MA in Writing, and throughout my undergraduate,I have used the skills and knowledge I gained from this A-level. For example, learning about; sentence functions, lexical terminology, the politics of language, and historical English, was extraordinarily beneficial to my further education, and I discovered I was at a significant advantage in comparison to other students who had not studied language before.'
Reece : "English Language at QE has made me look at my language differently; I think more inquisitively about what I say, I look at how things are written, the choices behind it, what a writer is trying to achieve with their writing, and having the knowledge to understand this is why I recommend this course"
Rachel : "Studying English Language for an A-level for the past two years has been great! I have enjoyed the whole course whether it be learning how children’s language develops to different theories about language differing between ages, genders regions etc. Learning about how English has evolved through the centuries is fascinating. Importantly, the teaching staff are amazing and will always offer help when required. '
10 Life Skills You’ll Develop on this English Language A level Course
1.Reading skills. You’ll learn how to deconstruct the language and meanings in a whole range of texts (some of them from different timescales and different cultures). In particular, you’ll learn to read ‘between the lines’, picking up on implied messages. You will also develop the habit of selecting, reading and reflecting on a range of independently-selected texts. All these reading skills are crucial for future careers!
2.Writing skills. You’ll learn how to write for different purposes, audiences and genres. Essential skills for would-be journalists and advertisers! And by the end of this course, your spelling, punctuation and grammar should be second to none!
3.Appreciating diversity across modern Britain and the world. You’ll learn how people’s language demonstrates the diversity of their backgrounds. You’ll learn to celebrate difference, making you a more open-minded thinker!
4.Creativity. You’ll develop experimental ways of getting messages across both in fiction and non-fiction genres. Whether you end up as a novelist or a marketing officer, strong skills in creativity will make you stand out from the crowd!
5.Analysing detail in data. This means spotting patterns across texts and analysing their significance. In the work place, you could well be handling complex data which you need to interpret quickly and efficiently - skills you’ll be applying in our NEAs and exams.
6.Applying theory and research to real-life situations. The course shows you how to apply knowledge of expert studies to current scenarios. You’ll learn how to apply theory and research cautiously depending on context - vital skills in a world where a bewildering range of studies and research come to dramatic (and often contradictory) conclusions!
7.Comparison. You’ll develop approaches to identifying important similarities and differences between items. Whether you’re choosing a mortgage or interviewing candidates for a job, the ability to evaluate comparatively is an essential life skill!
8.Argument and Persuasion. You’ll develop skills in the dark arts of persuasion and argument, crucial aspects of working life. If you’re intending to convince a jury in court or secure investment in a multi-million pound project, you will need to develop the ability to persuade. This is a skill you’ll be demonstrating in both papers of the exams and in your NEA.
9.Oral Presentations. In the workplace you will need to deliver ideas, information and arguments in formalised situations. University courses require students to do oral presentations in groups and independently. And to land a career, you’re going to have to convince an interview panel to give you a job in the first place! So your practice on this course will stand you in good stead!
10.Independent Thinking. In the world of work, high value is placed on employees’ ability to organise and deliver projects unsupervised in time-efficient ways. These are exactly the independent thinking skills you’re developing in stressful exam situations and in producing your NEA language investigation.
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